A swooping run from the Kiwi filly Probabeel saw her take out the 2020 Group 1 $500,000 Heineken 3 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick today.
Probabeel, above, storms home to win the 2020 Surround Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Probabeel was sent out as one of the top chances at $4.60 in the betting and after being pushed back towards the tail of the field on the home turn, was able to finish strongly down the middle of the track to score a decisive win.
Runner up Funstar drifted slightly in the betting to start the equal second pick at $4.60 and also had to make a long run from the back to finished third.
The James Cummings trained Flit was sent out as the $2.60 favourite and was given every chance by Hugh Bowman before finishing in sixth position.
Probabeel had solid form at Randwick during the 2019 Sydney Spring Carnival with a second in the Group 2 $200,000 Darley Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) and a second in the Group 1 $500,000 Darley Flight Stakes (1600m).
Winning jockey Opie Bosson showed why is one of the leading jockeys in New Zealand with a well-timed patient ride to get the Jamie Richards trained filly to arrive in to time to claim the winning cheque.
“I thought we were in a spot of bother on the corner, she was under the pump, but to her credit she really found the line well and she’s a very exciting filly,” Richards said.
“She had the fitness edge on a couple of these today.”
“I knew she had to be somewhere near her absolute best in a good quality race like this but full credit to the team at home for sending her over in such good order. I’m so thrilled to get a winner in these colours for Brendan and Joe, and Henry Plumptre who has been a good person to bounce ideas off over the last couple of years so it’s a big thrill.”
Richards will keep Probabeel in Australia to chase further Autumn Carnival riches and the filly looks like running in the Group 1 $500,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 28.
“She’s going to improve a bit further again as soon as we get up in trip. She’ll go to the Phar Lap then into the Vinery, she’s got a Group 1 now,” Richards said.
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